47 Days of Justice 2024 - Day 15: God’s judgments are perfect…even those we don’t understand.

“After Nathan returned to his home, the Lord sent a deadly illness to the child of David and Uriah’s wife. David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?” When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. His advisers were amazed. “We don’t understand you,” they told him. “While the child was still living, you wept and refused to eat. But now that the child is dead, you have stopped your mourning and are eating again.” David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12:15-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If we were being honest, we would admit that our definition of justice, often directly coincides with what we “think” should happen. Assuming we have a clear understanding of right and wrong, and what is fair and unfair in every situation, makes us think that our assessment of what should happen, is “right.”

But—as we have discussed—our judgment, our idea of justice, is often limited, and/or skewed, by our agenda, experience, desires, etc., rendering us incapable of second-guessing the judgment of God.

Consider, when we offer critical assessments of God’s judgments, we are setting ourselves as being in a position of authority over Him.

But please know, accepting the judgment of God does not mean that we necessarily understand His ways, His judgments. However, we must not make the mistake of assuming that because we don’t understand His judgments, they must necessarily be unfair.

In our opening scripture we see that David did not make the mistake of conflating what he wanted, with what was “right” or “fair,” concerning whether or not his son would survive.

David was told by the prophet Nathan that because he had disregarded the commandments of God, even though he was forgiven, the child who would be born would surely die. And as Nathan had spoken, the male child who was born, was stricken with a great illness that resulted in the son’s death.

Now, when his son was stricken with illness, David earnestly beseeched the Lord to change His mind concerning the fate of the child. But when the child died, David accepted it. Notice, he did not rail against God. He did not question why. David knew that God is sovereign and His judgments are perfect and final.

Friend, we waste much energy—both spiritually and otherwise—when we constantly critique the judgments of God.

Indeed, accusing God, or even trying to defend His judgements to other people, is a fool’s errand.

Now, in the case of David’s son, I don’t know why this child had to die. And truth be told, you don’t either.

We could say that it was a result of sowing and reaping: David sowed destruction and loss, and received the same. But even that type of analysis can not be coupled with a, “they got what they deserved,”attitude.

In order to participate as one of God’s delegated authorities in this present world, we must accept His judgments and His justice without resenting or condemning what He does. With that, we must not place ourselves as a “different sort” than the one who is being punished.

Indeed, rejoicing over the fact that an enemy has gotten something they “deserved,”is a fast track to getting something you weren’t aware that you deserved (in terms of punishment).

Given, we may be tempted to greatly rejoice when we see God do something against our enemies, or against just someone else who we suppose “deserved” what they got. But if our rejoicing goes beyond the fact that the Lord has vindicated or saved us, to rejoicing that the enemy, or the“lesser” child, has suffered, we may soon be facing the same judgment boomerang we sent forth in someone else’s direction.

The attitude of rejoicing that someone else has gotten a punishment they deserved, as well as the attitude of criticizing that God allowed something to happen to someone who didn’t deserve it (often, this person is ourself), displeases Him.

Our part regarding God’s judgments we do understand or “like,” as well as His judgments we don’t understand, or that go against what we wanted to happen, is to accept that God is God all by Himself. He knows what we do not know. His understanding is beyond our comprehension.

One day, we will understand everything. For now, we must trust and accept God’s judgments. We must respect the justice of God.

We end today with the words of one who knew a little bit about our topic:

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭1:20-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim #47DaysOfJustice